Isolation of gases



mmsm'z A pmifl 9, 1929. E. KUREK ISOLATION OF GASES Filed Aug. 2, 1924 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

WITNESSES Patented Apr. 9, 11929.

UNHTED STATES.

EDMUND KUREK, 0F CHIPPEWA FALLS, WISCONSIN.

ISOLATION OF GASES.

Application filed August 2, 1924. Serial no. 729,802.-

The invention relates to improvements in the isolation of gases.

An object of the invention is to isolate gases from a mixture when their specific weights differ, by subjecting them to the action of centrifugal force to separate them into zones from which they may be removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for ozonizing air while it is being subjected to the action of centrifugal force, whereby the ozone may be removed from the zone in which it collects.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof. r

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 isa longitudinal sectional view of an apparatus adapted to carry out the invention; and

Fig. 2 is'a similar view of a modified form of apparatus.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, 10 indicates a circular vessel which is adapted tobe rotated, preferably about a vertical axis, by a shaft 11 journalled in a support 12 and car-- rying a pulley 13. The upper end of the vessel is provided with a nozzle 14 by which a gas mixture is introduced into the vessel, and gas outlet conduits" 15 and 16 extend therethrough into the vessel and have their end portions 17 and 18, respectively, disposed and opening at different radial dis-,

tances from the axis of the vessel, the end portion 17 being shown adjacent the periphery of the vessel.

When it is desired to produce ozone within the vessel, the upper end 19 of the shaft 11 carries an abrasive wheel 20 rotatable therewith, and a hollow steel tube 21 is disposed co-axially of the vessel through the nozzle 14: to conduct an oxygen bearing gas mixture, such as air. The tube is move against the abrasive wheel to generate ashower of sparks, which acts on the oxygen of the gas mixture issuing from the end of the tube to form ozone.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, a circular vessel 10' is secured to an upwardly extending shaft 11 by which it is rotated, preferably about a vertical axis, the shaft being journalled in a support 12' and carrying a pulley 13. The nozzle 14' of the vessel is disposed below for the introduction of a gas mlxture, and gas outlet conduits 15 and 16' extend therethrough, the end' portion 17 of the conduit '15 extending outwardly and opening near the periphery of the vessel and the end portion 18 of the conduit 16 being disposed at a shorter distance from the axis.

F or the production of ozone Within the vessel, the lower end 19 of the shaft 11 carries an abrasive Wheel 20 rotatable therewith, and a steel bar 21 is inserted coaxially into the vessel through the nozzle 14' and is provided with a flared end 22 and a co-. axial bore 23 to afford clearance for the end of the shaft projection 19. An oxygen bear- 1ng gas mixture, such as air, is introduced through the nozzle and travels upwardly, adjacent the flared end 22 of the steel bar 21. The bar is moved against the abrasive wheel to generate a shower of sparks which acts on the oxygen of the adjacent gas mixture to form ozone.

In each instance a mixture of gases introduced into the vessel and subjected to the action of centrifugal force by rotating the vessel will separate into its component gases when then differ in specific weight, the heaviest gas seeking the periphery of the vessel.: The gases may then be removed while under centrifugal force by conduits opening into the respective zones the gases occupy. If desired the conduits may have their ends opening into the streams of the moving gases to provide a Pitot tube efi'ect.

When air is introduced into the revolving vessel for ozonizing purposes, the steel member is moved against the abrasivev wheel to produce a shower of hot iron sparks which converts the oxygen into ozone. The ozone having a greater specific weight than the nitrogen will seek the peripheral portions of the vessel from which it is removed as above set forth, while the nitrogen occupies the d inner portion. In the construction of Fig.

2, the nozzle of the container is at the bottom so that there is no tendency for the escape of the lighter gases, such as nitrogen.

The invention may also be used for the separation of carbon dioxide from atmospheric mixtures and is of general application in the isolation of gases from a mixture where the specific weights of the component gases differ. k

What I claim as new and desire'to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for isolating ozone from air comprising a revoluble vessel for subjecting air to contrifugal force, metal-grind- I ing abrasive means within the vessel for ozonizing the air and means for conducting the ozone from the vessel.

2. The apparatus for isolating ozone from air comprising a revoluble vessel for subjecting air to centrifugal force, a grinder within the vessel rotating therewith, a metal member bearing on the grinder for producing zone into which it is centrifugalized.

4. Apparatus for isolating ozone from air comprising means for centrifugalizing air including an air-receiving vessel, a metal member disposed Within the vessel, an abrasive member disposed within said vessel and relatively rotatable with respect to said metal member and receiving said metal member in engagement therewith for producing sparks to ozonize the centrifugally influenced air, and means for removing the ozone from the abrasive member to produce ozonizing sparks, and said annular steel member forming a conduit receiving therethrough air to be ozonized. I

6. Apparatus for isolating ozone from air comprising means for centrifugalizing-air including an air-receiving vessel, an abrasive member rotatable within the vessel, means for conducting air into said vessel in an axial direction with respect to said abrasive member and into proximity with said abrasive member, metal grinding against. said abrasive member about the axis of said member for producing sparks to ozonize the centrifugally-infiiienced air, and means for removing the ozone from the zone in which it collects when centrifugalized;

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature.

EDMUND KUREK. 

